DOGE Is Putting Major Government Efficiency Projects at Risk

“An entire ecosystem of dedicated technologists optimizing for the public and supporting civil servants is being dismantled,” says one fired 18F worker, who WIRED is keeping anonymous along with other sources mentioned in this story to protect their privacy.

The culling of [GSA’s](https://www.wired.com/story/gsa-sale-cia-facility/) 18F division in particular, a specialized digital services agency tasked with [improving user experience with government services](https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-trump-squeezed-americas-geek-squad-biden-built-it-back-stronger/) and helping agencies build and buy a variety of technologies, has crippled programs that silently but effectively prepared Americans for weather disasters or streamlined annoying errands, like renewing a passport or filing taxes. Over the weekend, around 90 technologists at 18F were [fired](https://www.wired.com/story/doge-autorif-mass-firing-government-workers/) via a surprise email that went out shortly before 1:00am ET on Saturday morning.

When the 18F team was disbanded, the group was in the middle of working on a number of projects for agencies across government, including the IRS, the State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security.

And that’s not all.

Read more: [https://www.wired.com/story/doge-major-government-tech-projects-efficiency/](https://www.wired.com/story/doge-major-government-tech-projects-efficiency/)